Improvement in parlor-tables



amen S'mrns Parana Qrrren.

FRED H. CUTLER,-OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN PARLOR-TABLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 61,976, dated June 29, 1875 application filed May 5, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRED H. CUTLER, of the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Parlor-Tables, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to that class of card or parlor tables or stands which are provided with hinged leaves hung to a stationary top, and two rigid legs arranged at diagonally-opposite corners of the fixed top, while the legs at the other corners are connected together and pivoted, so as to be capable of being swung into a position for supporting the leaves when the latter are required to be used.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a bottom-plan view of my improved table with the leaves shown folded down in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view with the movable pair of legs swung out, so as to support the leaves. Fig. 3 is a vertical section in line .10 a9, Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is a section at right angles to Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detached sectional view on an enlarged scale, showing the device by which the movable pair of legs are secured in a closed position. Fig. 6 is a similar view, showing the fastening device disengaged. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the cross-pieces by which each pair of legs are connected near their lower ends. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary elevation thereof. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal section thereof.

Like letters of reference designate like parts in each of the figures.

A is the stationary part of the top or bed of the table, and B B two leaves hinged thereto in a common manner. 0 O are two legs rigidly secured at diagonally-opposite corners to the lower side of the fixed top A, and provided with longitudinal stiffening-pieces c. D D are two other legs secured to the diagonally-opposite corners of a frame, E, turning on a pivot at the center, as shown at e, to the under side of the bed A. The frame E consists of two parallel side pieces, ff, connected at the ends by suitable cross-pieces f f and at the center by a cross-piece, f through which passes the pivot 0. dis a spring-catch arranged on one side of the pivoted frame E, near the end thereof,so as to project laterally therefrom; and It, a locking shoulder or bar arranged in a recess, is, in one of the legs 0, or other fixed part secured to the bed, so that when the frame E is swung against the legs 0 in order to close the leaves the catch i will engage over the shoulder k, and lock the frame E in this closed position with the leaves hanging down, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Zis a projecting releasingarm, secured to one of the leaves B near its inner edge, so as to project when the leaf is hanging down into the recess is above the end of the spring-catch i.

In raising the leaf the arm 1 depresses the spring-catch, so as to disengage it from the shoulder k, when the frame E is free to be swung into an open position for supporting the leaves. at is a spring arranged with the frame E so as to automatically swing the same open when the leaves are raised.

As represented in the drawing, the spring m consists of a wire coiled around a stud or pin projecting from the under side of the central cross-piecef of the frame E, and having one end secured to the latter, while the other end is attached to one of the longitudinal pieces 0.

When the leaves are required to be folded down, the frame E is swung on its pivot, so as to compress the spring on until its sides come. in contact with the legs 0, when the catch '5 engages and securely holds the frame E in this position, the legs 0 presenting the appearance of being rigidly secured to the two other corners of theframe E. By raising the leaves B the catchi is released, when the frame E is swung on its pivot by the reaction of the spring m until the legs D arrive in a position in which a line connecting them will be at right angles to a line through the legs (J 0, when its movement is arrested by coming in contact with the inner ends of the pieces 0, or some other suitable stop the entire width of the frame E forming in this position a hearing surface for the leaves. The frame E forms a more firm and reliable support therefor than a single bar connecting the movable legs, as heretofore employed, while the relative position of the legs is symmetrical and pleasing in appearance whether the leaves be open or closed.

The two pairs of legs 0 O and D D are provided near their lower ends with connectingpieces, each composed of two wooden sections or parts, 0 0 p 19, connected at the center by metallic straps or bearing-pieces q and q, respectively,whicl1 are secured to the under side of the wooden portions. The straps q q cross each other, and are provided with holes for the reception of the pivot-pin r, having an enlarged cylindrical head, 1' fitting between the inner ends of the wooden portions 0 p, which are correspondingly recessed or made concave, so as to fit snugly against the head 1" in all positions of the legs, as shown in Fig. 9. Any suitable ornament may be secured to the head W, as desired. his a spring-plate or bar of wood or metal secured with its rear end to the under side of each drawer, and projecting downward with its free front end, so that when the drawer is closed it will slide over the respective cross-piece f f and engage against the rear side thereof and lock the drawer, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. By pressing upward on the front end of the sprin h the drawer is released, in an obvious manner.

What I claim as my invention is- 1. The combination, with the bed A, hinged leaves B B, and legs (10, of the swinging frame E, provided with legs D D at diagonal corners, and pivoted to the bed, so as to form a support for the leaves when open, and a support for the bed when closed, substantially as FRED H. CUTLER. VVitnessesi JNo. J. BONNER, EDWARD WILHELM. 

